Morara calls for protests to demand justice for Albert Ojwang
Activist Morara Kebaso has called for street protests to demand justice for Albert Omondi Ojwang, a young social media influencer who died in police custody just hours after his arrest.
In a statement shared via his X account on Sunday, June 8, 2025, Morara condemned the police, accusing them of abusing their power and taking the life of a promising youth who had done nothing to deserve such a fate.
He lamented the loss of a promising young man whose life was abruptly cut short, suggesting that Ojwang’s death was not only unjust but a stark reflection of systemic failures within the law enforcement system.
“The lifeless body of Albert Ojwang is lying in a fridge at City Mortuary. A young man full of dreams, living his life on the highway to success, is DEAD. Killed by those who are paid by his taxes to protect him. He is asking one question. ‘Are you coming to the streets?’” Morara said.
Arrest and death
Ojwang was picked up on the afternoon of Saturday, June 7, 2025, at his family home in Kakot, Homa Bay County. Police officers claimed they were investigating him over a post he had made on the social media platform X. After arresting him, they transported him to Nairobi and detained him at Central Police Station.
Speaking to the media outside the station the following day, Ojwang’s father, Meshack Ojwang Opiyo, recounted the moments leading up to his son’s arrest. He said the family was having lunch around 1 pm. when they heard motorbikes approaching.
He walked outside and saw three bikes, two behind the homestead and one in front. Each carried two men. The visitors introduced themselves as police officers.
Meshack said the officers told him they were there for his son, who was sitting on a stone nearby. The officers laughed and said they had brought handcuffs, joking that no one would even get a chance to eat. Albert was taken away before having a meal.
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When Meshack asked what his son had done wrong, the officers claimed Albert had insulted one of their bosses on X. When he asked for more details, they told him not to talk too much and to follow them to the police station.
“He was arrested and taken to Mawego police station, then later at night, he was transferred to Nairobi. The arresting police told me Albert had insulted a senior person on X,” Opiyo said.
The next day, Albert was dead.
In a statement released on Sunday, June 8, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that Albert was arrested by DCI detectives for false publication and placed in custody.
They claimed that while in detention, he hit his head against the wall of his cell and sustained serious injuries. Officers reportedly noticed the injury and rushed him to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The NPS also said that an independent investigation had been launched to look into the circumstances surrounding Albert’s death, saying it was committed to upholding constitutional and human rights standards.
“The National Police Service (NPS) has noted reports circulating on social media regarding the death of a suspect allegedly in custody at Central Police Station, Nairobi,” the statement read in part.
“In line with statutory requirements, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation into the incident,” it added.
Albert’s family has disputed the police version of events. They are demanding a thorough investigation and accountability for his death.
